9 injured in fireworks mishap during town’s annual holiday festivities in suburban Pittsburgh

9 injured during fireworks mishap near Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Part of a fireworks display in suburban Pittsburgh misfired into a group of onlookers and exploded, slightly injuring nine people.

The mishap occurred in Etna on Friday night as the town held its annual holiday celebration.

Etna Fire Chief Greg Porter says the minor injuries included burns from the misfired fireworks and bumps and bruises caused when people panicked and tried to evacuate the scene.

Porter says a group of 150 to 200 people were standing about 400 feet away from where the pyrotechnics were being launched. He says it appears that several launching tubes tipped over after being lit, firing rounds into the crowd.

The fireworks display was then halted. A planned community bonfire was also canceled and the crowd was sent home.

Information from: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, www.post-gazette.com